The best restaurants in Southwark
11 Oct 2024
11 Oct 2024
In mid-December, The Irish Times selected the winners of their 2021 Food Awards
The categories considered for 2021 include ‘Best meal’, ‘Best newcomer’ and ‘Best value’ restaurants. There is also a focus on the ‘Best food truck’ and ‘Best outdoor dining’, which reflect how the food and drinks industry shifted their business in order to survive, and ultimately thrive, in a year which was largely spent under heavy lockdown measures. The awards were admittedly “more casual” this year according to Irish Times food writer and award presenter Corinna Hardgrave, but they do give notable praise to “the gold leaf end of the fine dining scale”. Without further ado, let’s review some of the highlights of The Irish Times 2021 Food Award winners.
Chapter One was given the ‘Best meal award’. The Dublin restaurant has just been announced as an entry to the 2022 Michelin guide, with the expectation that it’ll receive a two-star rating. The Irish Times praised the work of owners Mickael Viljanen and Ross Lewis, who “mastered the art of applying French technique seamlessly so that his food just glides, tantalises and delights.” Hardgrave further acknowledges the €65 lunch menu was her first 10/10 rating in the Irish Times, ensuring a spot for Chapter One on the list.
The ‘Best newcomer’ award was handed to Library Street, run by a former ‘Allta’ team member Kevin Burke, who provides a relaxing small plates restaurant in a contemporary dining room. The Irish Times praised Library Street’s “top tier desserts” and brilliant wine list.
The ‘Bravery Award’, which rewards restaurants for challenging the status quo of how we imagine an eating experience, went to ‘Allta Summer House’ – a pop-up tent that was situated on the banks of the River Boyne. Hardgrave said that anyone who made it to the stretched tent was “smiling for the rest of summer”. If you didn’t make it, fear not – they have a winter pop-up on the fifth floor of the Trinity St carpark.
The ‘Best food truck award’ was always going to be interesting, considering just how many restaurants and chefs set up these mobile eateries for 2021. The award ultimately went to ‘Dosa Dosa’, who serve fermented lentil pancakes, a traditional southern Indian small plate, which gained a lot of attention in Grand Canal Dock.
Sustainability was another huge factor in many people choosing which restaurants would be worth visiting in 2021. New wave wine bar Éan, of Druid Lane, Galway, took home the award for sustainability with “beautiful small plates of food coming from local organic growers, and wines from some of the world’s top low intervention producers.”
Finally, the award for ‘Best outdoor dining experience’ went to Roots at Slane. The ‘roots’ food project, started by Keith Coleman and Aisling McHugh in 2017, served Mexican inspired dishes using entirely local produce from Rock farm and local Boyne Valley suppliers over the summer in Slane Castle. The spectacular outdoor dining area featured a large striped marquee flanking the castle, creating the ultimate family day out.
Awards for ‘Best sommelier’, ‘Best vegan food’ ‘Best dessert’ and ‘Best value’ among others can be found on the list of the Irish Times food awards 2021.
